Community News Roundup

June 19, 2007

Fort Lauderdale

Commissioners to vote tonight on parking and other issues

The great debate about permit-only parking in Fort Lauderdale neighborhoods resumes today, when city commissioners vote on a citywide process for residents who want to ban strangers from parking on their streets.

The law, as currently drafted, will require neighborhoods to pick up the cost for a parking study, estimated at roughly $2,000 per block. But paying for a study doesn't guarantee the parking restrictions will be set; that decision rests with the City Commission in each case.

Commissioners also will vote on Yacht Haven, a megadevelopment including condo towers with 329 units, a marina and offices that is planned at an RV park on the New River, at 2323 W. State Road 84.

Both votes take place at the 6 p.m. meeting at City Hall, 100 N. Andrews Ave., and also can be viewed live on local cable-TV Ch 78 or at www.fortlauderdale.gov. (Under Quick Links, click on Commission Video.)

Also on today's agenda are a tentative vote to make it illegal for someone to throw a cigarette butt on the ground or on the beach, and a discussion at the 1:30 p.m. conference meeting on whether to pass a law restricting where sexual offenders can live, beyond the restrictions set in state law.

Lighthouse Point

City urges drivers to slow down as new speed limit is posted

Drivers have until July 12 to get used to the new 25-mph speed limit. Police will be issuing warnings for speeders but still ticketing those who break the previous 30-mph limit, said Police Chief Ross Licata.

City workers finished posting the new speed-limit signs late last week. The speed limit was changed after Broward County Traffic Engineering conducted a study to determine whether the city would benefit from slower traffic. Licata said Lighthouse Point was one of the few cities in the county to have a 30-mph speed limit in residential areas.

Because the city has a traffic engineering agreement with Broward County, the county provided the signs, which cost $7,500. City public works employees replaced existing signs and installed an additional 15 to 20 signs in other spots.

The city has been notifying residents and visitors about the new speed limit through fliers, community meetings and banners hung on city streets.

Oakland Park

Citizens Insurance rep to offer residents help with policies

Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the largest insurer in the state, will host a question-and-answer session from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday in the City Hall office of Sen. Jeff Atwater, 3650 NE 12th Ave.

A senior staff member of Citizens will be available to answer questions and assist constituents who have been experiencing difficulties with their policy.

Citizens is responsible for providing insurance coverage to Floridians unable to find affordable coverage in the private market. Appointments are required.

Call Megan McCready at 561-625-5101.

Pembroke Pines

Charter school teachers reach contract agreement with city

Six months after joining the Broward Teachers Union, educators with Pembroke Pines charter schools now have a contract that the union said improves working conditions.

The tentative agreement between teachers and the city creates rules for handling vacancies, promotions, transfers, evaluations and schedules. If approved by the City Commission on Wednesday, the three-year contract also gives teachers the ability to file grievances.

Charter school teachers have a different contract than Broward School District teachers. And once raises for district teachers are determined, the city will match the increase for charter school teachers.

Pembroke Pines charter school teachers are the first in the state to unionize, adding Florida to a handful of other states with unionized charter school teachers.

Pompano Beach

Help offered with applications for property tax exemptions

The Broward County Property Appraiser's office will offer taxpayers assistance in applying for homestead and other property tax exemptions from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall, 100 W. Atlantic Blvd.

Applicants must bring a Florida driver's license or ID card; a Broward voter registration or a declaration of domicile; Social Security numbers of all owners; and a copy of the recorded deed or a copy of a tax bill. Resident aliens must bring a permanent resident green card or proof of asylum.

Residents also can apply for the widow/widower, disability/veteran's disability, and senior's additional exemptions.

Visit www.bcpa.net or call 954-357-6035.

Sunrise

Special presentation in store for orchid aficionados tonight

The Sunrise Orchid Society will meet at 8 p.m. today at the Village Civic Center, 6800 Sunset Strip.

The Central Area Neighborhood Association will have its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Hagen Park, 2020 Wilton Drive.

The city's newest civic association includes all areas between Andrews Avenue and Dixie Highway and Oakland Park Boulevard and the South Middle River. This area includes the city's downtown area and budding condo and loft developments.

The group's Web site and message boards can be viewed at www.canawm.org.